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vassals armed themselves for battle, Hasta, Prahasta, Marica, Sārana, and others by the thousand. Rāvaṇa, expert in beating enemies, had the cruel battle-drums beaten by the crore by servants.
Break between Ravana and Bibhīṣaṇa (17-44)
Then Bibhiṣaṇa went to Daśāsya, bowed, and said: "Be gracious for a moment. Consider my speech which would have good results. Before, without reflecting you kidnaped another's wife, causing destruction of two worlds. Your family was shamed by that. Kakutstha has come to take his wife with him. This alone is hospitality-surrender his wife. Otherwise, Rāma will take Sita from you and will destroy your whole family with you. To say nothing of Rāma and Saumitri who caused the death of rash Khara, did Your Majesty not see Hanumat, one of his soldiers? Your glory is greater than Indra's glory. Do not destroy it because of Sītā. In this way your ruin of both kinds 177 would take place."
Then Indrajit said: "Our whole family has been disgraced by you timid from birth. You are not my father's brother. Thinking our father, who is the conqueror of Indra even, the leader of complete success, capable of such conduct, you certainly wish to die, fool. Formerly our father was tricked by you telling lies, since you did not kill Dasaratha after promising to do so. You wish to protect Dāśarathi, who has come here, from our father, you who show fear, born from earth-dwellers, shameless. I think you are a partisan of Rama. Even in counsel you are not superior. Counsel by a wise minister has good results for kings."
Bibhiṣaṇa said: "I am certainly not a partisan of the enemy. But you have sprung up, an enemy in the form of a son, causing the destruction of the family. While
Life and glory.
177 22.
CHAPTER SEVEN
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